Kia ora! Meet our Artist, Rātā Samland.

 

About Rātā

 

Rātā works from a private tattoo studio and has been tattooing for over 10 years, working alongside a range of artists and within different creative spaces.

 

With a passion for visual communication, she loves working with people to transform their ideas, experiences, and stories into meaningful visual symbols.

 

Vision

 

VIBEZ began with a simple idea: find your vibe and keep it forever. ❈

 

Rātā is passionate about helping people discover what makes them beautiful and unique, creating meaningful art that supports self-expression, confidence, mindfulness, and everyday wellbeing.

 

As a neurodivergent artist, Rātā understands the importance of creating a space where people feel comfortable being themselves. She loves supporting other neurodivergent tāngata whai ora (people seeking wellbeing) and helping them feel seen, understood, and celebrated.

 

She embraces neurodivergence, or takiwātanga — being in one’s own space and time — as a gift that has shaped the artist she is today.

 

Education

 

Rātā studied Visual Communication at UCOL, where she completed a Level 6 research paper exploring the international history of tattooing, with a particular focus on the origins of tattoo stigma.

 

Her research also explored the significance of tā moko within Māori culture, deepening her respect for its cultural importance and the tikanga surrounding its practice. Rātā recognises the distinction between contemporary tattooing and the practice of tā moko and will happily refer those seeking tā moko to an appropriate tohunga tā moko.

 

In 2017, Rātā pursued her tattooing career and received her certification under Gary Eagle, putting her formal studies on hold to focus on developing her craft.

 

More recently, she has continued her learning through papers at Massey University in Biological Psychology and Sustainable Science, reflecting her ongoing curiosity about people, wellbeing, and the world around us.

 

History

 

Rātā is a first-generation Kiwi, born in Aotearoa New Zealand to German immigrant parents.

 

Raised by a midwife and an ecologist, she grew up with an appreciation for people, nature, and the interconnectedness of life. Her upbringing, alongside the cultural influences of her environment and her learning about mātauranga Māori, has contributed to her fascination with different cultures and the stories that shape us.

 

Rātā values understanding where we come from, recognising our foundations, and honouring the people and experiences that make us who we are.

 

A Note on Meaning

 

“Tattoos are like a birthmark you choose. They remind you who you are and where you belong. The tattoos you choose serve as reminders of your foundation and ground you in everyday life.”

 

— Rātā

 

Ngā mihi nui & willkommen to VIBEZ. ❈